While their classmates are soaking up the sun, six students are working in a large conference room in Sandy Springs, perfecting their interview skills.
The high schoolers are Junior Achievement Fellows preparing for a national competition later this month in Washington, D.C.
Founded in 1919, JA focuses on economics and workforce education. Statewide, 120,000 students are involved in programs during and after school.
"Our goal is to teach them about financial literacy," said Christiane Palpant, volunteer advisor for JA Fellows in Sandy Springs and a JA board member.
JA Fellows is an after school program for students who want to learn about the business world. There are 18 such groups in metro Atlanta.
"For the fellows program, it really is about the student's drive, interest and motivation," said Jack Harris, president of JA in Georgia. "Because it is so team-based, each individual student needs to make sure they are contributing as a member of that team in order for the whole business to be successful."
The Sandy Springs team created ReZold, a company that makes bowls from old records and key chains from old belts.
"We wanted to create a product around a cause," said Marcus Byrd, the company's 18-year-old president. "We wanted to do something that was eco-friendly and that promoted environmental sustainability."
Byrd, a graduate of Chamblee High School, is headed to Georgetown University where he will study chemistry.
The team made it to nationals because local judges favored companies with innovative products, said Adam Warren, 18, vice president of public relations. ReZold is unique because most companies resold products purchased on the Internet, said the rising senior at The Weber School in Atlanta.
Friends and family members donated old belts and ReZold bought records at Goodwill for 50 cents.
Businesses are judged on their annual report, commercial video, trade book display and interview. ReZold's 89 shareholders bought shares for $5. Through the sale of $7 bowls and $3 key chains each shareholder saw a return of $12.80.
The remaining money went to volunteers, officers and Georgia Green Loans, a company that lends money to businesses with "green" missions. ReZold's six officers pocketed between $20-$40 each. All products must be liquidated during the competition.
Next year, 15-year-old Elizabeth Ewing, vice president of marketing, wants to be company president.
"Next year will be my third year, so I have [an] understanding of how a company works," said the rising junior at Independent Studies, a private Christian school in Marietta.
ReZold's officers know how valuable this experience has been for their future.
Said Warren: "My goal is to keep being like a sponge and suck up as much information as I can."
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